The Mayan Cosmology involves three
spheres: the heavens, the terrestrial world and the underworld (Xibalba).

There are 13 layers to the heavens and nine below
the ceiba tree connect the underworlds to the terrestrial and the
heavens.

The importance of the central tree is found in
other regional cosmologies, including the Olmec, Tolecs and Aztecs.

Four Chacs were present to suspend the the
various layers representing the four corners of the earth or four trees as seen
in many rituals (like the puberty ceremony) and various manifestations of the
gods. A fifth tree is represented in the centre and this is the pathway from the
under to over worlds and the ultimate creator (Hunab Ku).

Itzamna,
a cross-eyed lizard like god who
is toothless and often has a beard
) is the descendent of the creator and said to
be the partner of
Ixchel (the goddess of the moon, pregnancy, floods and
weaving ) and together they gave birth to all of the other gods (including the
Jaguar (Balam) and the Maize god , rain-god, sun-god, war god and medicinal
god)...

There are gods that correspond to the various
layers of the upper and lower worlds as well as many for the natural world
around them.

Each god is manifest in either positive or
negative forms where they may bring good or ill fortune, for exam the rain god
can bring moisture for the maize and other crops but can also bring downpours,
flooding and destruction.